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name
HAMILTON, Thomas Currie - Date of
birth
11 August 1911 -
Age
31 - Place of
birth
Manitoba, Canada -
Hometown
Cook County, Illinois
Personal info
Military service
- Service
number
36395733 -
Rank
Technical Sergeant -
Function
Left Waist Gunner -
Unit
331st Bombardment Squadron,
94th Bombardment Group, Heavy
-
Awards
Purple Heart,
Air Medal
Death
-
Status
Killed in Action - Date of
death
13 June 1943 - Place of
death
Schönberg, northeast of Kiel, Germany
Grave
-
Cemetery
American War Cemetery Ardennes
| Plot | Row | Grave |
|---|---|---|
| D | 9 | 25 |
Immediate family
-
Members
John W. Hamilton (father)
Mary E. (Currie) Hamilton (mother)
Earle L Hamilton (brother)
Plane data
- Serial
number
42-29957 -
Data
Type: B-17F
Nickname: Helno Gal II
Destination: Kiel, Germany
Mission: Bombing of the U-boat yards
MACR: 15556
More information
T/Sgt Thomas C. Hamilton was an electrician before he enlisted in Chicago, Illinois on 19 March 1942.The aircraft was shot down by enemy fighters. The bombardier, 1st Lt Wilton H. Power, stated that they left the formation between the IP and the target. The pilot, co-pilot, bombardier, top turret, ball turret, tail gunner, radioman and right waist gunner all bailed out. He believed that everyone was out but Hamilton, left waist gunner, who was shot during action and he was almost positive about his death. He also states that all other members were in good condition, except for minor wounds. However, after interviewing parachuting crewman of other shot down B-17´s that day, he believes the remainder of his crew, pilot, top turret, ball turret, tail gunner and right waist gunner were all shot in their parachutes as they were descending.
Six crew members were killed. Their remains were initially buried at the Garnison Cemetery of Kiel on 17 June 1943. Four crew members were taken prisoner.
Source of information: Raf Dyckmans, Terry Hirsch, www.wwiimemorial.com, www.fold3.com, www.ancestry.com - U.S., Headstone and Interment Records for U.S. Military Cemeteries on Foreign Soil
Photo source: Peter Schouteten, www.findagrave.com - Walter Ram, www.newspapers.com - Chicago Tribune - 4 July 1943